CALIFORNIA STATE SCIENCE FAIR2006 PROJECT SUMMARY

Ap2/06

Name(s) Project Number

Project Title

Abstract

Summary Statement

Help Received

Kate M. Borchard

Polyester vs. Nylon: Which Material Is Best for Swimsuits?

J1107

Objectives/GoalsMy objective was to learn if the type of material and care procedures used on swimsuits repeatedlyexposed to chlorine affected the swimsuits durability. I believe that the polyester material would be themost durable swimsuit material and that washing in cold water with Woolite would be the best careprocedure.

Methods/MaterialsFour swatches of nylon fabric and four swatches of polyester fabric were immersed in the localcommunity pool for one hour, four days a week, for approximately eight weeks. Each of the fabricswatches were labeled with one of the four different care procedures and washed with this method afterthe immersion period. The four different care procedures were: Cold water, cold water with Woolite,warm water, and warm water with Woolite.

ResultsI examined the fabric samples under a microscope and looked at four different criteria. The differentwashing procedures did not seem to affect the polyester fibers, but all the polyester samples did showminimal fading equally. As for the nylon, the different washing procedures did affect the fabric. Washingin warm water alone caused the most damage, shown by the largest amount of fiber changes. The nylonsamples washed in cold water or cold water with Woolite showed the least fiber changes.

Conclusions/DiscussionIn conclusion, the best care of your suit is to wash it in cold water or cold water with Woolite. Also, thepolyester fabric is more durable than the nylon fabric and would therefore last longer.

I examined what type of swimsuit material and what care procedures were the best for swimsuitsrepeatedly exposed to chlorine.

I used the microscope at Mesa School under the supervision of Dr. Dunn; TYR swimsuit manufacturerprovided the fabric samples; my mother helped me design the board; my father helped me with computerdifficulties.